Automatic trough-valve.



Y Ff. sTmf-:GLEIL AUTOMATIC TRGUGH VALVE.

APPLICATION FILED S EPT.19. 9H.

l ,245,525. Patented Nov. 6, 19157.

FRITZ STRIEGLER, OIE' FORT McK-AVETT, TEXAS.

ion.

i AUTOMATIC 'raoUGnyALvn Specification of Letters Patent.

Application tiled September 19, 1916. Serial No. 121,031.

To all whom 'it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRITZ STRIEGLER, a citizen of the United States, and resident of Fort McKavett, in the county of Menard and State of Texas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Trough-Valves, of which the following is a specification.

The present invention relates to animal watering troughs' and the like and has particular reference tonew and useful improvements in automatic float controlled valves for use in connection therewith.

An object of my invention is to provide a controlling valve and mechanism therefor which will automatically, accurately and economically maintain the water level in a watering trough or similar receptacle.

Another object of my invention is to provide a controlling valve ofthe class dcscribed which is adjustable, and which ma y be applied to any of the existing types of tanks, and does not interfere with lthe animals drinking.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the character described which in o eration requires little or no attention, it being impossible for any of the parts to freeze as long as water 1n the tank itself does not freeze.

A still further object of my invention is to provide a device of the class described which is Vcheap to manufacture, contains no unreliable float devices which tendto leak and is economic to install and maintain.

Other objects and advantages to be derived from the use of my improved valve and controlling mechanism Will appear from the following detailed description and the claims, taken with an inspection of the accompanying drawing, in which:-

Figure l is a longitudinal sectional view of a watering trough Ashowing my improved valve controlling mechanism applied thereto; and

Fig. 2 is an enlarged top plan view of the` bearing member.

Referring more lparticularly to the drawing, wherein similar characters of reference designate like and corresponding parts thoughout the various views, 1 designates the tank which is ofthe usual construction having a bottom 2 on which is mounted a bearing member 3, the inlet pipe being designated 4 and passing through said member 3. A valve of the turning plug type not shown is interposed in the inlet pipe 4, one free ltrunnion 5 of the valve extending through one side of the bearing member 3 and carrying a rocker arm or lever 6. The bearin member 3 is bolted to the bottom 2 as indicated at 7. The lever 6 is made in sections adjustably connected as at 6.

A float 8 is associated with the lever 6, said ioat being adjustably mounted on a rod 9, said rod being pivotally connected at 10 with the lever 6. A set screw 11 serves to maintain the float in 'adjusted positions on said rod 9. plug 12 is associated with the float, said float being intended to contain oil or a similar substance lighter than water.

Patented Nov. 6, 191'?.

A counter-weight 13 is provided, said and the float controlling mechanism in the position to close the valve 5. Should the water level lower in the tank owing to the consumption of the same by the animals the float 8 will become exposed and consequently increase in weight.' The increase in Weight of the float will overcome theaction of the counter-weight 13 causing the arm 6 to be moved, thus opening the valve.

When the water level again reaches the poi'nt at whichthe iioat 8 is submerged the counter-Weight 13 begins to act moving the lever 6 back to horizontal position as shown in Fig. 1.A It Will be seen that in the provision of my improved valve controlling mechanism I have afforded an accurate, positive' and` automatic means for controlling the 'water level in a tank. The action of the device is steady, no sudden jerk being` without materially altering the structure of the same.

From the above description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, it

is thought that a .clear and vcomprehensive understandingof the construction, operation and advantages of my invention may be had, and while l have shown and described the device as embodying a specific structure, l desire that it be understood that such changes may be made in said structure as do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. ln a watering trough, the combination `of a tank having an inlet'valve associated therewith, of a lever associated with said valve to operate the same, said lever connected intermediate its length to the valve, a pair of rods carried by the opposite free ends of said.lever,vone of said rods carrying a counter-weight and mounted in a guide, said counter-weight to be disposed normally above the water level of the tank, a float lled with oil carried by the other rod and Legame 'adapted to be submerged in normal position, whereby when the water level lowers to eX- pose said float the weight of the float will overcome that of theA counter-weight and open the valve to raise the Water level to normal.

'2. In a Watering trough having an inlet valve associated`therewith,a lever connected intermediate its length to the valve to operatethe same, a counter-weight carried by one end of the lever, said counter-weight being normally disposed above the water level of the trough, a float filled with oil carried by the other end of said lever and adapted to be submerged in normal position whereby when the water level lowers to exposesaid float the weight of the float will overcome that of the counter-weight and open the valve to raise 'the water level to normal.

In testimony whereof, l .affix my `signature hereto.

FRITZ, STRIEGLER. 

